MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Marion County Council on Aging is asking voters to approve the renewal of the senior services levy on the upcoming Nov. 4 ballot, emphasizing that the measure is a continuation of existing funding without an increase in taxes.
Cassie Gregory, from the Marion County Council on Aging, said the levy is critical to funding a wide range of in-home services for seniors. These services include home-delivered meals, light housekeeping, assistance with bathing, and the operation of the Adult Day Center at Kingston.
“The presentations and the talks that I’ve been giving the past couple of months has simply been about connecting our agency, the Marion County Council on Aging, that we are the senior services levy,” Gregory said. She stressed that while partner agencies like the Marion Senior Center provide the services, the Council on Aging is the funding source.
The levy provides approximately 90% of the agency’s funding. One of the newer services, launched two years ago, is out-of-county medical transportation, which is vital for seniors who are unable to drive to appointments in places like Columbus.
Gregory noted that the vote is strictly for a renewal and is not a replacement or request for additional money, keeping the rate the same as it has been since 2006.
“This is just a renewal. This is not a replacement. We are asking for no additional monies,” Gregory said.
If the levy were to fail, the organization would have to significantly pull back services. Gregory urged residents to vote, stating the council’s mission is “taking care of those that took care of us” by helping people stay in their homes as long and safely as possible.
Gregory encourages anyone with questions to call her at the Marion County Council on Aging at 740-387-0401.